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The news of Conor McGregor being stripped of the UFC featherweight championship over the weekend has come with mixed reactions. Ariel Helwani reported that McGregor didn't agree to relinquish the title. The UFC made the decision out of necessity for a new main event at UFC 206 due to the injury sustained by Daniel Cormier. Max Holloway vs. Anthony Pettis fighting for the interim featherweight title is a fight that will attract people.

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 12: Conor McGregor of Ireland celebrates his KO victory over Eddie Alvarez of the United States in their lightweight championship bout during the UFC 205 event at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images )

UFC President Dana White warned in August that McGregor's retention of the featherweight championship depended on who he chose to fight next in the Octagon. Conor chose to fight Eddie Alvarez for the lightweight title at UFC 205. McGregor's decisive victory over Alvarez meant he had to keep moving between the two weight classes in an effort to retain the titles.

The immediate fallout.

This seizure of the featherweight belt, will probably gift Jose Aldo as the unified 145lbs-pound champion, until he then faces either Holloway or Pettis, likely Holloway.

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If McGregor chooses to abandon the featherweight division, to never return, his miasma will linger like a myth whispered in hushed tones, and how he tore through the division will haunt Jose Aldo. Aldo will be obsessed about a rematch like Conor was about Diaz. Champions struggle to control their ego's and Jose will see his 13 second loss as not just a blemish to his legacy, but a travesty, one he couldn't rectify. To avenge his legend, Aldo will have to chase McGregor and traverse the weight classes into the lightweight division. I don't see him doing that. It's not that he's not motivated, it's that he's comfortable being champion in his featherweight comfort zone. Does he still belong there though? That's questionable.

Aldo has only fought Edgar since being dispatched by McGregor. In contrast, Max Holloway is coming in on a 9-successive fight winning-streak. Aldo doesn't finish fights like he once did, so a Holloway fight for him will be testing and a McGregor fight would be a long night for Aldo. What could Jose bring that's new and pioneering that would dishevel Conor's steely and cold accuracy?

Aldo is still an exceptional fighter and so he shouldn't waste his energy chasing the Irish phantasm that probably won't return to the featherweight division. He must find a path to releasing his fixation and not let his phantasm master him; such an obsession could end his career. For Aldo, letting go would be easier than trying to catch his phantasm.

Aldo will regret his bravado of anytime, anywhere, and then pulling back when Conor offered him a fight after Rafael Dos Anjos got injured, unveiling the scarring left on Aldo's psyche. A fight between the two will now probably never happen without McGregor's interest. Aldo doesn't have that sway in the UFC, and it would be taxing to last 5 rounds against McGregor in a striking fight, considering he's ameliorated his stamina. At 145lbs, a Holloway - McGregor fight would be more desirable since Holloway's striking is now so good that Aldo will struggle, but McGregor would only be catalyzed by such an opponent.

The case for McGregor being better off should be considered. McGregor has to cut deeply for the featherweight division to make the weigh-ins, and would then spiritedly parade into the Octagon 10-20lbs heavier, giving him an advantage through the added weight that would enhance the force of his punches. This advantage can always be used against him and his successes against lighter opponents.